We hope everyone enjoys a safe and fun Memorial Day Weekend.  Memorial Day Weekend often signals the start of summer for many of us.  The three-day weekend also gives us a welcome break the hustle and bustle of work.

Memorial Day is a day of remembrance for U.S. soldiers who died during military service. This celebration was first observed in 1868, when Americans placed flowers on the graves of Union and Confederate soldiers at Arlington National Cemetery. Later, Memorial Day changed from honoring the dead from the Civil War to honoring the dead from all American wars.

While enjoying some fun on Memorial Day Weekend, we must remember to make wise decisions so that we can keep ourselves, families, friends and others out of harm's way.

Unfortunately, statistics show that Memorial Day Weekend is the deadliest holiday in the U.S. for car accidents. Why is that? There could be several reasons:

• Increased traffic. The sheer number of drivers during the weekend drastically increases the chances of accidents. The American Automobile Association (AAA) estimates that almost 37 million Americans will travel more than 50 miles over the Memorial Day weekend. More cars equal more car accidents.
• Drunk Driving. With many holiday weekends comes celebrations and excessive drinking. This leads to many unfortunate drunk driving accidents. It is important to remember that even one drink can impair your ability to drive. Consider using a designated driver, Uber, or Lyft and avoid driving if you have had any alcohol.
• Fatigued Driving. Anyone driving long distances is susceptible to growing tired during the journey. Consider taking breaks during a trip, share the driving responsibilities with another, and stop driving if you feel tired.
• Speeding. Driving at a high rate of speed and, generally, operating your car out of control, is a recipe for disaster. Try to take your time while traveling and obey all traffic laws. Everyone can agree that getting to your destination – even getting there late – is better than not getting there at all.

Again, enjoy yourself and stay safe during this Memorial Day Weekend.